We here at Pine Grove Baptist Church honor our Christian ancestors and leaders who through faith planted the seeds which took root to establish a sanctuary of worship.

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OUR BEGINNING:

On March 14, 1895, Trustee Berry McClurkin purchased a parcel of land approximately 10 miles south of Chester, South Carolina on Halsellville Road on a hill, among a grove of pine trees for twenty dollars ($20).

 

The educational background of our ancestors was poor. Due to this fact, very few of them had the ability to read or write, therefore limited church records were kept during this time. This is especially true prior to the 1960's. 

 

OUR PASTORS:

Through the years Pine Grove has been blessed with great men of God to pastor our ever growing congregation. These pastors were:

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1. Reverend McMoore

2. Reverend Sam Halsey

3. Reverend Hanes

4. Reverend McCullough

5. Reverend Massey

6. Reverend Hancock

7. Reverend J. A. McClurkin

8. Reverend Robert Whitener

9.  Reverend Archie Stover

10. Reverend John E. Darby

11. Reverend Robert Z. Bailey

12. Reverend Jerome Boyd 

13. Reverend Jason A. Miles

 

(there may have been others but through research these were the only names obtained).

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OUR CLERKS:

Pine Grove has had five known ladies to serve as church clerk.

1. Sister Dubose

2. Sister Mary Magdalene Stevenson (Magie)

3. Sister Luella McCree

4. Sister Margaret Young

5. Sister Lametria Jackson

 

Over the years many renovations have taken place to change the appearance of the sanctuary and the grounds. The first sanctuary was made of pine wood with no paint. 

 

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IMPORTANT DATES:

March 14, 1894 - land purchased for the sanctuary. Sanctuary built shortly thereafter. 

 

Block church built - (exact date unknown) This allowed the baptismal pool to be installed inside and out of the elements of nature. 

 

September 1979 - God blessed the church with an additional acre of land for cemetery use. Dining area enlarged.

 

Early 1996 - Brick added to the exterior

 

June 1997 - Another blessing of additional land.

 

July 1995 - Stained glass windows installed

 

August 2001 - Steeple installed & electrical church sign purchased

 

January 2003 - church van purchased for ministry transportation

 

2018 - Additional land purchased

 

2019 - Sanctuary painted and new light fixtures

 

 

CONCLUSION:

We thank God that for over 128 years He has kept this congregation alive, thriving and growing in His grace. We aim continuously "to become the light on a hill that cannot be hidden...a great city...Christ centered...founded on love...focused on studying, learning, applying, and teaching the gospel of Christ Jesus to all people. To be good stewards of all that God has blessed us with and in constant prayer for further growth of God's will through us".